The Farmhouse in Cherry Hill Closes After One Year

Plus: Other restaurant openings and closings in Kearny, Union Beach, Elizabeth, Norwood and Newark.

On August 6, the Farmhouse in Cherry Hill (reviewed in NJM‘s 2018 June issue) announced its closure on its Facebook page—just over a year into operation. Veteran food service professional and South Jersey native Stu Wanicur had purchased the historic farmhouse building from former occupant La Campagne, renovating and reopening in May of last year. The departure of the Farmhouse’s first chef, David Murray, left a gap which was filled (briefly) by chef Bruce Santino, who began to develop his own footing within The Farmhouse’s aspirational, if not always successful, local farm-inspired menu. Issues such as food costs and the restaurant’s size were cited as major factors in the closure. The Farmhouse, 312 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill

Openings:

*Kearny Avenue in Kearny is now home to the Peruvian eatery, Pollerias Golden Peru. Standards include Parihuela Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian fried rice), Leche de Tigre, Lomo Saltado, and Peruvian roast chicken with sides like yucca, tostones, and rice abound. The menu also features Peruvian seafood, with four ceviches, Chicharron de Pescada (fried fish and yucca), Choritos a la chalaca (steamed mussels by the half- or full-dozen), Parihuela (Peruvian seafood soup), and classic Peruvian Jalea (fried fish with rice and lime sauce). Family-size options run around $35, making it a good option for takeout night. Pollerias Golden Peru, 190A Kearny Avenue, Kearny; 201-428-1135

*Stevie G’s Union House originally opened in Union Beach in April of 1993. This July—25 years later—marked its first month back in business, and things seem to be good for the raw bar and restaurant run by the Gross family. The menu is “new and improved” but still founded in reliable shore pub classics, and fans of the mac n’ cheese, bacon, and onion ring-loaded “Grossburger” will be happy to hear of its return. Stevie G’s Union House, 910 Union Avenue, Union Beach; (732) 847-9673

*Sharon Sevrens built up a loyal following at Amanti Vino in Montclair, and now wine, spirits, and beer lovers in the Morristown area get to share the wealth with Amanti’s second location on South Street. The store has the same vibe of the original, with a stock of around 800 hand-selected bottles in 3,000 square feet and an emphasis on customer engagement, complete with classes, a tasting bar to sample weekly staff picks, and a planned outdoor patio space to sip a full drink. Stop by on Saturday, September 8 for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. Amanti Vino, 60A South Street, Morristown; 973-267-9463

*Roc’s Café just opened in Elizabeth with Latin-inflected breakfast, lunch, kids, and dinner options. Definitely check out the sandwiches, which include a Cuban; Choripan with chorizo and chimichurri; and the Feiras Novas hot dog wrapped in ham and cheese and served with a potato sticks and a fried egg. If that’s not enough, this the Bolas de Berlim (Portuguese doughnuts) might just lure you in. Roc’s Café, 1020 North Avenue, Elizabeth; 908-354-0849

*Marinade Asian Fusion recently opened in a small strip mall on Livingston Street in Norwood. Imagine fast-casual Korean taken to a slightly funkier level: twice-fried Korean chicken wings, Panini with bulgogi (Korean BBQ, in this case Kmarinated rib eye), and Kimchi fries. Marinade Asian Fusion, 544 Livingston Street, Norwood; (201) 660-7911

Other closing:

*After three decades in business and owing to both family illness and a retirement, Spain Restaurant on Market Street in Newark has quietly closed its doors. Spain Restaurant, 419 Market Street, Newark.

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